Word Origin & History

process early 14c., "fact of being carried on" (e.g. in process), from O.Fr. proces "journey" (13c.), from L. processus "process, advance, progress," from pp. stem of procedere "go forward" (see proceed). Meaning "course or method of action" is from mid-14c.; sense of "continuous series of actions meant to accomplish some result" (the main modern sense) is from 1620s. Legal sense of "course of action of a suit at law" is attested from early 14c. Verb meaning "prepare by special process" first recorded 1884; processor is 1909; data processor is 1958; word processor is c.1974; food processor is 1977.

Example Sentences for process

In the course of this process he fell into adventures, some of them, perhaps, unedifying.

This process is performed by girls, with the aid of what is called a “bob” or “glazer.”

Proceed with the remainder of the process as in canning peaches.

Many, indeed, affirmed that the process was already near its consummation.

If he is wicked and she can sort of make him over, like an old dress, she revels in the process.

Now, only 15,000 tons are made per annum by Leblanc's process.

What logic, what process of argument secures you against this supposition?

Is this patent of yours on a process of making gas from crude oil?

Hereupon ensued a process of thought in the mind of the knight.

In process of time the girl's work was discovered—discovered by Judith.